Frogless switch.



J. J, NEWMAN.

FROGLESS SWITCH. LPPLICATIOS Hmm 539123, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

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Patented May 3, 1910.v

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J. J. NEWMAN,

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n APPLICATION IILBD SEPT. 23, 1909.

31 u m1 loz mmm@ lmhwogi;

Y way switches known as rogless switches.

by the switch tongue shall be held down to Aand also to provide a switchtongue which .and the switch tongue are integral with each also providebraces to insure that the switch A.roH'NV J. NEWMAN, or Rocxwoon,PENNSYLVANIA.

FROGLESS SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed September 23, 1909. Serial No. 519,217.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN J. NEwMAN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and resident of Rockwood, in the county of Somerset and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFrogless Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inrailway7 switches, and more particularly to that class of rail- Thepresent invention has for its objects among others to provide animproved dcvice of this general character which shall obviate theobjections to prior constructions of this nature, and to provide meanswhereits proper place when in operative position,

shall have no joint, projection bolt-head or the like upon its uppersurface. The rail other.

I provide a wedge carried by the switch tongue to prevent the'rail frombeing shoved over by pressure thereon. The top surface of the switchtongue and the top surface of the stub rail are preferably easelmrdenedat their adjacent ends; so also is the upper tace of the main rail overwhich the switch tongue moves to increase the life of these parts wherethe greatest wear comes.

I provide a plate to connect the lead rail with the side track innerrai] so as to make a continuous rail and provide the greatest amount ofrigidity where such is required.

I provide a novel form of joint between the switch tongue and theadjacent rail and tongue shall be thrown to its proper place even if ithas become sprung from any cause.

The switch tongue is raised about two and three-quarters of an inch, theends of the ad` jacent rails being gradually raised to meet thiselevation, so as to insure against breakage and allow of the flange ofthe wheel being at all times elevated from and outof contact with thetread of the main rail at this point. The outside switch rail is raisedcorrespondingly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear,and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by theappended claims.

The invention, in `its preferred form, is

the parts in their other position. F ig. 3 is aperspective view, on anenlarged scale, showing the switch tongue and adjacent parts. Fig. -1 isa horizontal longitudinal section through the parts at the joint,showing also the wedge on the switch tongue. Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of the switch tongue. Fig. (5 is a perspective view of thecoperating parts of the joint. Fig. 7 is a detail showing the means forholding down the end of the switch tongue.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawings, l and 2 desi@- nate the main track rails and3 the outside vor stationary siding rail, these being of usualconstruction, except as hereinafter specified. The main track rail 2 isunbrclen or continuous at the point of crossing, and for a portion oflits length, for a greater or less distance at the point where the switchrail movesover the same, has its upper or tread surface case hardened,as shown at 4 in Fig. 3, so as to increase the rise thereof and enableit to better sustain the wear to which it is subjected. The rails aresuitably braced and secured to the ties in any of the Wellknown ways. I

5 is a brace located at a. point somewhat near the free end of theswitch tongue, being secured to a tie or to an additional orsupplemental supporting member 6, the said brace having a lip or tongueportion '7 extending inwardly between the base and tread of the rail, asseen clearly in Fig. 3, so as to better brace the rail and securely holdit against displacement. The upper face of this brace is rounded, asseen at 8, for contact therewith of the under face of the' switchtongue, as the latter is moved so as to insure its being thrown toproper position even should the switch tongue become sprung from anycause. 9 is an additional riser brace having rounded upper surface forthe same purpose, this latter brace being disposed near the free end ofthe switch tongue as seen clearly in Fig. 3. These braces o and 9 havetheir rounded port-ions above the tread of the rail, as seen clearly inFig. 3, so as to insure the switch tongue be- `ing thrown to properposition at. all times i the inner side track rail.

regardless of whether it be sprung or not.

is a metallic plate of requisite thickness to give the requiredrigidity. It is firmly seswitch tongue being elevated above the tread ofthe main t ack rail 2 over which it moves, about, inches so as to 1nsnreyagainst brealmge and allow of the passage of the flange of the wheelwithout contact with the main track rail 2 at the point of crossine thesame. The top surface of the flee end or the switch tongue is easehardened, as shown at 1G in Fig. and the adjacent end of the lead rail12 is correspondinglv case hardened,

` as shown at 1T, in said Fig. 3, for the` same purpose as the casehardening ot' the top surface of the main track rail 2 as abovedescribed. Y

The switch tongue 15 and rail portion 18 1 are integral and the switchtongue near its free end is provided with a lateral projection 19 belowthe upper surface thereof, as

seen clearly in Figs. and 7, while E70 is a brace having an overlappingflange 21 beneath which the projection 19 of the switch tongue isadapted to engage when the switch tongue is moved into its operativeposition, as seen in Figs. 43 and 7. This serves to preventupward risingof the tongue after titi: latter has been moved into its operativeposivtion over the main track rail 2.

The switch tongue is pivotally connected with the adjacent end of therail 1l and, while this connection may be of any suitable forni ofconstruction, I have shown in the 'present instance what I consider thepreferable means of forming this connection. lt comprises a plate 22securely bolted to one side of the rail portion of the switch tongue,said plaie having a central longitudinal projecting pci-tion 23 whichextends beyond the end of the rail portion, as seen clearly in Fig. Uponthe opposite side of this end portion of the switch tongue and securedpreferably by the same bolts Q4 that secure the plate 22 in position, isa plate 25 having its portion extended beyond the end of the switchtongue i'ail bifurcated to form the arms 26 and 27, as seen best in Fig.5. These arms are provided near their free ends with the openings 28 fora purpose which will soon be described.

29 is a block 0r plate secured to the rail 11 by suitable means as bolts30, while upon the opposite side are the upper and lower arms I l andwhich project beyond the end of the rail, as seen best in Fig. (3, thesame being secured to the end of the rail b v the bolts` v30, seenclearly in Fig. 4. The plate 2t) has a central longitudinal extension 33having a vertical opening 34, and when the parts are assembled injuxtaposed position. a pivot bolt 35 is passed vertically through theopenings :'28 and 34 of the arms QG and 2 and the extension 3?respectively, the switch tongue turning upon said pivot bolt. lVhen thetongue is thrown into operative position, the intel-engaging parts 3land and 33 and 2() and 27 torni an exceedingly strong and etlicientmeans of connection between the parts and one that serves to preventundue lateral strain or breakage of the parts.

36 is a wedge secured tol the tace of the switch tongue rail adjacentthe inner rail of the main track, and this wedge is provided with thecentral longitudinal ribv 3T which is adapted to engage the spacebetween the base and tread of the rail and to Contact, with the webthereof. "hen the switch tongue is in operative position, this wedgeserves to tightly till the space between the converging ends or portionsof the side tongue and adjacent rail and serves further to brace theswitch tongue and prevent its being pushed to an abnormal position inuse. v

The switch tongue and the movable switch rails may be moved in any ofthe conventional waj's, but, as this forms no part of the presentinvention. a detail description there- A ot' does not seein necessary.In the present instance. l have shown an operating lever 38 connected byrod 3U with the bell crank lever 40, which, in turn, actuates thctransverse member l1 connected with the movable point rail 42. andoperatively connected with the member l1 is the bell crank lever 43which, in turn, is connected by the rod 4l with the bell crank lever 45connected with and designed to operate the transverse sliding member 46,to which is firmly secured a brace 4T having the vertical flange 4Ssecured to the switch tongue rail adjacent its pivot, so as to give therequisite strength at this point.

The parts not herein specifically meutioned are, it is to be understood,of any of the conventional forms, or the improvements as hereinafter setforth in the claims may be used in conjunction with any well-known orapproved forms of said parts. The outsidev switch rail should be raisedto correspond to the elevation of the switch tongue at the pointmentioned, for obvious reasons.

It, is to be noted that the switch point moves over the tread of themain track rail 2, which is continuous at the point of crossing andwhich is firmly secured to the strengthening base plate 10. The base andl a switch tongue, a siding rail, and a plate web of the rail portion ofthe switch tongue are beveled and tapered, as seen at 49 and 50respectively.

From the above, it will be seen that I have devised a very simple, yeteftieient, strong, durable and reliable frogless switch, and, while thestructural embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed is what I atthc present time consider preferable, it is evidentthat the saine issubject to changes, variations and modifications in the proportions,relative arrangement and details, and I. therefore, do not wish to berestricted to the particular construction herein disclosed, but reservethe right to make such changes, variations and modifications as comeproperly within the scope of the protection prayed.

IVhat is claimed as new is 1. In a railway switch, the niain track rail,

extending beneath the two and secured to the saine to give rigiditythereto, said plate extending diagonally and beyond the joint betweenthe switch tongue and the inner side track rail, s: d switch tonguebeing provided with a vertical faced wedge extended laterally beyond theedge of the tongue.

2. In a railway switch, the iiiain track i'ail, the siding rail, asvitch tongue, a rail integral therewith, and a plate extending beneaththe saine and disposed diagonally with one end beyond the joint betweenthe switch tongue and the inner side track rail, said switch tonguebeing provided with a vertical fac-ed wedge extended laterally beyondthe ledge of the tongue.

8. In a railway switch, a switch tongue provided with a vertical facedwedge extended laterally beyond the edge of the tongue to eiigagetheadjacent rail to prevent lateral movement of the switch tongue.

et. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one piece and avertical fac-ed ywedge carried by the tongue and projected laterallybeyond the side thereof to engage the adjacent rail to prevent lateriniiiovenient of the switch tongue.

In a railway switch. a switch tongue and rail in one piece with unbrokenupper surface. the base and web of the rail portion thereof beingbeveled and tapered, and a wedge carried bv the side of .said tongue andprojected laterally beyond the edgeV thereof.

6. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one piece withunbroken upper surface, the base and web of the rail portion thereofbeing beveled and tapered, and a wedge carried by the side of saidtongue and projected laterally beyond the edge thereof, the uppersurface of the switch tongue adjacent its free end being case hardened.

7. In a railway switch, a switch tongue having a lateral lip, and abrace having a rounded portion extended above the tread .A of the railfor engagement by the switch tongue to insure the latter being thrown toposition.

t). In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one integral piecewith unbroken upper surface from its joint to its free end, and avertical faced wedge carried by the side of said tongue. and projectinglaterally beyond the side of said tongue.

10. In a railway switch, aswitch tongue and rail in one integral piecewith vunbroken upper surface from its joint to its free end, and a wedgecarried by the side of said tongue and projecting laterally beyond theside of said touffue, combined with an outside switch rail, said switchrail and switch tongue both being elevated to clear the tiange of thewheel from the main rail.

11. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one integral piece,a wedge on tne side of the tongue projected laterally beyond the sidethereof, and a laterally projecting lip adjacent the free end of thetongue.

12. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one integral piece,a wedge on the side of the tongue projected laterally beyond the sidethereof, and a laterally projecting lip adjacent, the free end of thetongue and disposed at a distance from the upper face thereof.

13. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one integral piecewith unbroken upper surface from its joint to its free end, and avertical faced wedge carried by the side of said tongue and projectinglaterally beyond the side of said tongue, combined with an outsideswitch rail, said switch rail and switch tongue both being elevated toclear the flange of tlie-wheel from the main rail, and joint membersextended beyond the end of said tongue.v

14. In a railway switch, a switch tongue and rail in one integral piece,a wedge on the side of the tongue projected laterally beyond the sidethereof, a laterally projecting lip adjacent the ree end of the tongue,and joint members extended beyond the end of said tongue.

15. In a railway switch, a joint member comprising interengaging memberson one side of the switch tongue with a pivot connecting the saine attheir overlapped points, and interengaging portions upon the oppositeside of the tongue, the latter being free and disconnected troni eachother and separable as the tongue isv moved on its pivot.

16. In a railway switch, a mil having upon one Side a ]o1nt member withm`the length of theY rail, spaced members on the opposite side of therail extending beyond the end of the raul and n switch tongue having;coperatmg separated Joint members upon opposite Sides and extendedbeyond the endA of said tongue. Y

1?."In a rniiway swltch, a rml having upon one 51de a-]omt member Withinthe length of the rail. spaced members on the opposite side of the railextending beyond the end of the ruil, fr switch tongue havingcooperating separated joint members upon opposite sides and extendedbeyond the end of said tongue, and a wedge on the side of September1909.

J CHN J. NEWMAN.

Vitnesses: Fie-:NK A. IIOLBERT, CEAS. H. EALY.

